Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page nine of the Office for National Statistics report on public sector employment data, published on 15 March 2017, for what reasons around 70 civil servants transferred from HM Treasury to his Department on 1 April 2016; and what positions those civil servants assumed upon commencing work in his Department.

The transfers of staff referred to in each of these Questions were the result of a number of machinery of government changes leading to transfers of function to my Department from HM Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Home Office. These changes helped to rationalise and strengthen the corporate centre of the Civil Service based in my Department.

In April 2016, Infrastructure UK (IUK) based in HM Treasury and the Major Projects Authority (MPA) based in the Cabinet Office merged to create the Infrastructure and Projects Authority within my Department. The merger brought together Government expertise in infrastructure and the financing, delivery and assurance of major projects, to support more effective management and delivery for the Government.

In June 2016, the Civil Service Employee Policy group based in the Department for Work and Pensions transferred to my Department to become part of Civil Service Human Resources. Civil Service Employee Policy provide a professional and specialist service across government departments to develop and maintain Civil Service HR policies and practice.

Similarly, between June and September 2016, Civil Service Learning based in the Home Office transferred to my Department and also became part of Civil Service Human Resources. Civil Service Learning provides a range of high-quality learning that aims to support and equip civil servants in the delivery of excellent public services.

Information about the positions held by civil servants when they transferred into my Department are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.